Yucatán Real Estate Scandal Rocks 178 Families

Corruption within the Infonavit real estate sector has been exposed by President Claudia Sheinbaum, revealing a new scandal in Yucatán. The so-called Mañé Real Estate Cartel has reportedly affected at least 178 families. Octavio Romero Oropeza, the director of Infonavit, revealed in mid-December that a network exists which grants up to four loans for the same property.

This corruption model aligns with the one found in Yucatán, allegedly led by Ricardo Mañé Lara and his three sons. A total of 178 families in Yucatán have reported an alleged corruption network involving two construction companies, Sucovisa and Comasa, both owned by the Mañé Uribe brothers. These companies provided loans through Infonavit but left the homes incomplete.

The alleged fraud took place in 2021 across five subdivisions: Jerusalén Umán, Zoola de Umán, Bosques de Kanasín, and Luna Kin Hunucmá. The victims accepted loans ranging from 300,000 to 400,000 pesos, repayable over 25 years. Despite Infonavit continuing to deduct monthly mortgage payments, the victims have not received their homes.

Manuel Sosa, one of the victims, explained, "We have been without our homes for three years. They are charging us month after month, with high interest rates of up to 70,000 pesos, and they do not deliver the houses. Infonavit does not provide us with answers." Investigations suggest that the parties involved sold hundreds of homes multiple times, with the collusion of Infonavit employees, notaries, and collection offices.

Cristian de Jesús Mañé Uribe, who held a federal position in the credit area of Infonavit, is believed to have facilitated these irregularities. Ricardo Mañé Lara, the family patriarch, has been linked to right-wing politicians. Yamil Nicté, another victim, said, "They are charging us almost a million pesos for the house and they did not deliver our homes. We also cannot purchase a house elsewhere because there is a penalty for cancelling the loan. We are desperate."

The Mañé Real Estate Cartel is facing over 100 fraud complaints filed with the State Attorney General's Office in Yucatán. However, the alleged culprits have not been located, leading the affected families to suspect that they may have fled.